Version at: 21/12/2019, 17:20 vs. version at: 21/12/2019, 17:20
11#A Quick Start Guide for New Contributors
22
33
44## The Aims of the [Tatoeba Project](http://tatoeba.org/home/)
55* We collect high-quality sentences and their translations into other languages.
66* Sentences we create are used by [various projects](http://a4esl.com/temporary/tatoeba/links.html) under the Creative Commons - Attribution 2.0 license.
77
88
99## The Basic Rules
1010
1111 * **Write high-quality sentences.**
1212
1313[[Translations]](https://tatoeba.org/eng/sentences/show/8395065)      [[Source]](https://en.wiki.tatoeba.org/articles/show/about-tatoeba#goals-of-the-tatoeba-project)
1414
1515 * **Write complete sentences.**
1616
1717[[Translations]](http://tatoeba.org/eng/sentences/show/611372)      [[Source]](http://blog.tatoeba.org/2010/02/how-to-be-good-contributor-in-tatoeba.html#rule1)
1818
1919 * **Don't change sentences that are correct. You can, instead, submit natural-sounding alternative translations.**
2020
2121[[Translations]](http://tatoeba.org/eng/sentences/show/611373)     [[Source]](http://blog.tatoeba.org/2010/02/how-to-be-good-contributor-in-tatoeba.html#rule5)
2222
2323 * **Don't add sentences from copyrighted sources.**
2424
2525[[Translations]](http://tatoeba.org/eng/sentences/show/611374)     [[Source]](http://blog.tatoeba.org/2010/02/how-to-be-good-contributor-in-tatoeba.html#rule8)
2626
27Also see [Legally valid content](http://blog.tatoeba.org/2011/01/legally-valid-content.html)
27Also see [Legally valid content](http://blog.tatoeba.org/2011/01/legally-valid-content.html).
2828
2929 * **Write natural-sounding translations, not word-for-word direct translations.**
3030
3131[[Translations]](http://tatoeba.org/eng/sentences/show/611375)     [[Source]](http://blog.tatoeba.org/2010/02/how-to-be-good-contributor-in-tatoeba.html#rule4)
3232
3333(Of course, we don't want computer translations.)
3434
3535 * **Write a good translation of the sentence that you are translating. Don't let translations into other languages influence you.**
3636
3737[[Translations]](http://tatoeba.org/eng/sentences/show/611376)     [[Source]](http://blog.tatoeba.org/2010/02/how-to-be-good-contributor-in-tatoeba.html#rule3)
3838
3939 * **Don't include multiple alternative words inside the same sentence.**
4040
4141[[Translations]](https://tatoeba.org/eng/sentences/show/8395097)    [[Source]](https://blog.tatoeba.org/2010/02/how-to-be-good-contributor-in-tatoeba.html#rule9)
4242> For instance, don't write:
4343
4444> _He/she said it was hot_.
4545
4646> Instead, you should submit two sentences.
4747
4848> _He said it was hot_.
4949
5050> _She said it was hot_.
5151
5252 * **Don't write extra information, such as the name of the author, within the sentence.**
5353
5454[[Translations]](https://tatoeba.org/eng/sentences/show/8395099)    [[Source]](https://blog.tatoeba.org/2010/02/how-to-be-good-contributor-in-tatoeba.html#rule9)
5555
5656> For instance, don't write:
5757
5858> _Don't let schooling interfere with your education. (By Mark Twain)_
5959
6060> Instead, write:
6161
6262> _Don't let schooling interfere with your education._
6363
6464> Then, if you can, add "by Mark Twain" as a tag. Otherwise, add it as a comment.
6565
6666For more details, see [Rules and Guidelines](guidelines) and [How to Write Good Sentences](how-to-write-good-sentences).
6767
6868## Contribute in a Language That You Know Well
6969
70701. You can create natural-sounding sentences in your own native language for others to translate into their native languages.
7171
72722. You can translate from a foreign language that you know well into your own native language or strongest language.
7373
74743. If you want to contribute in a language that is not your native or strongest, see [Contributing in a language that is not your strongest](https://en.wiki.tatoeba.org/articles/show/non-native#).
7575
7676
7777<a name="users"></a>
7878## Things a Contributor Can Do
79791. You can **translate a sentence** by clicking on this icon ![](http://tatoeba.org/img/translate.svg =16x16) whenever you see it.
8080Please do not forget **capital letters** and **punctuation.**
8181
82822. You can add **alternate translations**. (![](http://tatoeba.org/img/translate.svg =16x16))
8383If you feel there are several possible translations, you can add them all. Just make sure you are adding the translations to the other language. (In other words, don't add an English translation to an English sentence.)
8484
85853. You can **proofread sentences** and "adopt" (![](http://tatoeba.org/img/unadopted.svg =16x16)) sentences that you think are good.
8686If a sentence is "unowned," you can adopt it.
8787 * Generally speaking, "owned" sentences are more likely to be error free, especially if owned by a native speaker (as requested, "[adopt any 'orphan' sentence you see in your native language, and correct it if necessary.](http://tatoeba.org/eng/activities/adopt_sentences/eng)")
8888 * _We suggest only adopting sentences that seem 100% natural to you. If a sentence seems "less than natural," don't adopt it._
8989
90904. You can **correct mistakes** that you find, if the sentence is not "owned" by another user. To do this…
9191 * Adopt the "orphan" ("unowned") sentence.
9292 * Then click the text to edit it.
9393 * Then, optionally, "unown" (![](http://tatoeba.org/img/adopted.svg =16x16)) the sentence if you want others to be able to easily edit it again.
9494 * Special Note
9595 * Tatoeba.org prefers that you do not change any sentence that could be considered correct. Instead, add an alternate translation.
9696
97975. You can **add comments to sentences**.
9898 * If you find a mistake, but the sentence is "owned" by another user, then leave a comment telling the "owner" how it can be corrected.
9999 * If you see something that seems strange or you don't understand, you can leave a comment, and someone may explain it to you.
100100 * If you find things that are absolute nonsense or that are not sentences, you can leave a comment alerting moderators.
101101
1021026. You can **add new sentences**.
103103The best approach is to search first to make sure the sentence is not already in the database.
104104 * Note that the search on Tatoeba differs from familiar search engines (such as Google Search) in some important ways. See [How to Search for Text](text-search) for details.
105105
106106
107107
108108## Not All Contributed Sentences Are Suitable For All Uses
109109* Some sentences **sound unnatural**.
110110* Some sentences contain **grammar and vocabulary errors**.
111111* Some linked sentences **may not be good translations**.
112112
113113Note also that some sentences, while they are correct, use **archaic and/or old-fashioned** language, so they should not be taken as a guide to speaking the current language.
114114
115115If you see a sentence that has issues, leave a comment. If you are able to leave a tag, you can do that as well.
116116
117117## Recommendations
118118
119119* To help maintain the quality of our sentences, it is recommended that you write in your native language and/or translate into your native language. If you write in another language, follow the guidelines under [Contributing in a language that is not your strongest](https://en.wiki.tatoeba.org/articles/show/non-native#).
120120* When you translate, start from sentences owned by native speakers.
121121* If you want to try writing longer contributions in a language that is not your strongest, consider visting a site such as [italki](https://italki.com) or [lang-8](https://lang-8.com).
122122
123123
124124## Link to This Page
125125
126126There is an easy-to-remember, short bit.ly link to this page.
127127
128128http://bit.ly/tatoebaquickstart
129129
130130
diff view generated by jsdifflib

Version at: 21/12/2019, 17:20

#A Quick Start Guide for New Contributors 


## The Aims of the [Tatoeba Project](http://tatoeba.org/home/)
*   We collect high-quality sentences and their translations into other languages.
*   Sentences we create are used by [various projects](http://a4esl.com/temporary/tatoeba/links.html) under the Creative Commons - Attribution 2.0 license.


## The Basic Rules

 *  **Write high-quality sentences.**

[[Translations]](https://tatoeba.org/eng/sentences/show/8395065)      [[Source]](https://en.wiki.tatoeba.org/articles/show/about-tatoeba#goals-of-the-tatoeba-project)

 *  **Write complete sentences.**

[[Translations]](http://tatoeba.org/eng/sentences/show/611372)      [[Source]](http://blog.tatoeba.org/2010/02/how-to-be-good-contributor-in-tatoeba.html#rule1)

 * **Don't change sentences that are correct. You can, instead, submit natural-sounding alternative translations.**

[[Translations]](http://tatoeba.org/eng/sentences/show/611373)     [[Source]](http://blog.tatoeba.org/2010/02/how-to-be-good-contributor-in-tatoeba.html#rule5)

 * **Don't add sentences from copyrighted sources.**

[[Translations]](http://tatoeba.org/eng/sentences/show/611374)     [[Source]](http://blog.tatoeba.org/2010/02/how-to-be-good-contributor-in-tatoeba.html#rule8) 

Also see [Legally valid content](http://blog.tatoeba.org/2011/01/legally-valid-content.html)

 * **Write natural-sounding translations, not word-for-word direct translations.**

[[Translations]](http://tatoeba.org/eng/sentences/show/611375)     [[Source]](http://blog.tatoeba.org/2010/02/how-to-be-good-contributor-in-tatoeba.html#rule4)

(Of course, we don't want computer translations.)

 * **Write a good translation of the sentence that you are translating. Don't let translations into other languages influence you.**

[[Translations]](http://tatoeba.org/eng/sentences/show/611376)     [[Source]](http://blog.tatoeba.org/2010/02/how-to-be-good-contributor-in-tatoeba.html#rule3)

 * **Don't include multiple alternative words inside the same sentence.**

[[Translations]](https://tatoeba.org/eng/sentences/show/8395097)    [[Source]](https://blog.tatoeba.org/2010/02/how-to-be-good-contributor-in-tatoeba.html#rule9)
> For instance, don't write:

> _He/she said it was hot_.

> Instead, you should submit two sentences.

>  _He said it was hot_.

>  _She said it was hot_.

 * **Don't write extra information, such as the name of the author, within the sentence.** 

[[Translations]](https://tatoeba.org/eng/sentences/show/8395099)    [[Source]](https://blog.tatoeba.org/2010/02/how-to-be-good-contributor-in-tatoeba.html#rule9)

> For instance, don't write:
 
>  _Don't let schooling interfere with your education. (By Mark Twain)_

> Instead, write:

>  _Don't let schooling interfere with your education._ 

> Then, if you can, add "by Mark Twain" as a tag. Otherwise, add it as a comment.

For more details, see [Rules and Guidelines](guidelines) and [How to Write Good Sentences](how-to-write-good-sentences).

## Contribute in a Language That You Know Well

1.  You can create natural-sounding sentences in your own native language for others to translate into their native languages.

2.  You can translate from a foreign language that you know well into your own native language or strongest language.

3.  If you want to contribute in a language that is not your native or strongest, see [Contributing in a language that is not your strongest](https://en.wiki.tatoeba.org/articles/show/non-native#).


<a name="users"></a>
## Things a Contributor Can Do
1.  You can **translate a sentence** by clicking on this icon ![](http://tatoeba.org/img/translate.svg =16x16) whenever you see it.
Please do not forget **capital letters** and **punctuation.**

2.  You can add **alternate translations**. (![](http://tatoeba.org/img/translate.svg =16x16))
If you feel there are several possible translations, you can add them all. Just make sure you are adding the translations to the other language. (In other words, don't add an English translation to an English sentence.)

3.  You can **proofread sentences** and "adopt" (![](http://tatoeba.org/img/unadopted.svg =16x16)) sentences that you think are good.
If a sentence is "unowned," you can adopt it.
    *   Generally speaking, "owned" sentences are more likely to be error free, especially if owned by a native speaker (as requested, "[adopt any 'orphan' sentence you see in your native language, and correct it if necessary.](http://tatoeba.org/eng/activities/adopt_sentences/eng)")
    *   _We suggest only adopting sentences that seem 100% natural to you. If a sentence seems "less than natural," don't adopt it._

4.  You can **correct mistakes** that you find, if the sentence is not "owned" by another user. To do this…
    *   Adopt the "orphan" ("unowned") sentence.
    *   Then click the text to edit it.
    *   Then, optionally, "unown" (![](http://tatoeba.org/img/adopted.svg =16x16)) the sentence if you want others to be able to easily edit it again.
    *   Special Note
        *   Tatoeba.org prefers that you do not change any sentence that could be considered correct. Instead, add an alternate translation.

5.  You can **add comments to sentences**.
    *   If you find a mistake, but the sentence is "owned" by another user, then leave a comment telling the "owner" how it can be corrected.
    *   If you see something that seems strange or you don't understand, you can leave a comment, and someone may explain it to you.
    *   If you find things that are absolute nonsense or that are not sentences, you can leave a comment alerting moderators.

6.  You can **add new sentences**.
The best approach is to search first to make sure the sentence is not already in the database.
    *   Note that the search on Tatoeba differs from familiar search engines (such as Google Search) in some important ways. See [How to Search for Text](text-search) for details.



## Not All Contributed Sentences Are Suitable For All Uses
* Some sentences **sound unnatural**.
* Some sentences contain **grammar and vocabulary errors**.
* Some linked sentences **may not be good translations**.

Note also that some sentences, while they are correct, use **archaic and/or old-fashioned** language, so they should not be taken as a guide to speaking the current language.

If you see a sentence that has issues, leave a comment. If you are able to leave a tag, you can do that as well.

## Recommendations

*   To help maintain the quality of our sentences, it is recommended that you write in your native language and/or translate into your native language. If you write in another language, follow the guidelines under [Contributing in a language that is not your strongest](https://en.wiki.tatoeba.org/articles/show/non-native#).
*   When you translate, start from sentences owned by native speakers.
*   If you want to try writing longer contributions in a language that is not your strongest, consider visting a site such as [italki](https://italki.com) or [lang-8](https://lang-8.com).


## Link to This Page

There is an easy-to-remember, short bit.ly link to this page.

http://bit.ly/tatoebaquickstart

version at: 21/12/2019, 17:20

#A Quick Start Guide for New Contributors 


## The Aims of the [Tatoeba Project](http://tatoeba.org/home/)
*   We collect high-quality sentences and their translations into other languages.
*   Sentences we create are used by [various projects](http://a4esl.com/temporary/tatoeba/links.html) under the Creative Commons - Attribution 2.0 license.


## The Basic Rules

 *  **Write high-quality sentences.**

[[Translations]](https://tatoeba.org/eng/sentences/show/8395065) &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; [[Source]](https://en.wiki.tatoeba.org/articles/show/about-tatoeba#goals-of-the-tatoeba-project)

 *  **Write complete sentences.**

[[Translations]](http://tatoeba.org/eng/sentences/show/611372) &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; [[Source]](http://blog.tatoeba.org/2010/02/how-to-be-good-contributor-in-tatoeba.html#rule1)

 * **Don't change sentences that are correct. You can, instead, submit natural-sounding alternative translations.**

[[Translations]](http://tatoeba.org/eng/sentences/show/611373) &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;[[Source]](http://blog.tatoeba.org/2010/02/how-to-be-good-contributor-in-tatoeba.html#rule5)

 * **Don't add sentences from copyrighted sources.**

[[Translations]](http://tatoeba.org/eng/sentences/show/611374) &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;[[Source]](http://blog.tatoeba.org/2010/02/how-to-be-good-contributor-in-tatoeba.html#rule8) 

Also see [Legally valid content](http://blog.tatoeba.org/2011/01/legally-valid-content.html).

 * **Write natural-sounding translations, not word-for-word direct translations.**

[[Translations]](http://tatoeba.org/eng/sentences/show/611375) &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;[[Source]](http://blog.tatoeba.org/2010/02/how-to-be-good-contributor-in-tatoeba.html#rule4)

(Of course, we don't want computer translations.)

 * **Write a good translation of the sentence that you are translating. Don't let translations into other languages influence you.**

[[Translations]](http://tatoeba.org/eng/sentences/show/611376) &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;[[Source]](http://blog.tatoeba.org/2010/02/how-to-be-good-contributor-in-tatoeba.html#rule3)

 * **Don't include multiple alternative words inside the same sentence.**

[[Translations]](https://tatoeba.org/eng/sentences/show/8395097)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;[[Source]](https://blog.tatoeba.org/2010/02/how-to-be-good-contributor-in-tatoeba.html#rule9)
> For instance, don't write:

> _He/she said it was hot_.

> Instead, you should submit two sentences.

>  _He said it was hot_.

>  _She said it was hot_.

 * **Don't write extra information, such as the name of the author, within the sentence.** 

[[Translations]](https://tatoeba.org/eng/sentences/show/8395099)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;[[Source]](https://blog.tatoeba.org/2010/02/how-to-be-good-contributor-in-tatoeba.html#rule9)

> For instance, don't write:
 
>  _Don't let schooling interfere with your education. (By Mark Twain)_

> Instead, write:

>  _Don't let schooling interfere with your education._ 

> Then, if you can, add "by Mark Twain" as a tag. Otherwise, add it as a comment.

For more details, see [Rules and Guidelines](guidelines) and [How to Write Good Sentences](how-to-write-good-sentences).

## Contribute in a Language That You Know Well

1.  You can create natural-sounding sentences in your own native language for others to translate into their native languages.

2.  You can translate from a foreign language that you know well into your own native language or strongest language.

3.  If you want to contribute in a language that is not your native or strongest, see [Contributing in a language that is not your strongest](https://en.wiki.tatoeba.org/articles/show/non-native#).


<a name="users"></a>
## Things a Contributor Can Do
1.  You can **translate a sentence** by clicking on this icon ![](http://tatoeba.org/img/translate.svg =16x16) whenever you see it.
Please do not forget **capital letters** and **punctuation.**

2.  You can add **alternate translations**. (![](http://tatoeba.org/img/translate.svg =16x16))
If you feel there are several possible translations, you can add them all. Just make sure you are adding the translations to the other language. (In other words, don't add an English translation to an English sentence.)

3.  You can **proofread sentences** and "adopt" (![](http://tatoeba.org/img/unadopted.svg =16x16)) sentences that you think are good.
If a sentence is "unowned," you can adopt it.
    *   Generally speaking, "owned" sentences are more likely to be error free, especially if owned by a native speaker (as requested, "[adopt any 'orphan' sentence you see in your native language, and correct it if necessary.](http://tatoeba.org/eng/activities/adopt_sentences/eng)")
    *   _We suggest only adopting sentences that seem 100% natural to you. If a sentence seems "less than natural," don't adopt it._

4.  You can **correct mistakes** that you find, if the sentence is not "owned" by another user. To do this…
    *   Adopt the "orphan" ("unowned") sentence.
    *   Then click the text to edit it.
    *   Then, optionally, "unown" (![](http://tatoeba.org/img/adopted.svg =16x16)) the sentence if you want others to be able to easily edit it again.
    *   Special Note
        *   Tatoeba.org prefers that you do not change any sentence that could be considered correct. Instead, add an alternate translation.

5.  You can **add comments to sentences**.
    *   If you find a mistake, but the sentence is "owned" by another user, then leave a comment telling the "owner" how it can be corrected.
    *   If you see something that seems strange or you don't understand, you can leave a comment, and someone may explain it to you.
    *   If you find things that are absolute nonsense or that are not sentences, you can leave a comment alerting moderators.

6.  You can **add new sentences**.
The best approach is to search first to make sure the sentence is not already in the database.
    *   Note that the search on Tatoeba differs from familiar search engines (such as Google Search) in some important ways. See [How to Search for Text](text-search) for details.



## Not All Contributed Sentences Are Suitable For All Uses
* Some sentences **sound unnatural**.
* Some sentences contain **grammar and vocabulary errors**.
* Some linked sentences **may not be good translations**.

Note also that some sentences, while they are correct, use **archaic and/or old-fashioned** language, so they should not be taken as a guide to speaking the current language.

If you see a sentence that has issues, leave a comment. If you are able to leave a tag, you can do that as well.

## Recommendations

*   To help maintain the quality of our sentences, it is recommended that you write in your native language and/or translate into your native language. If you write in another language, follow the guidelines under [Contributing in a language that is not your strongest](https://en.wiki.tatoeba.org/articles/show/non-native#).
*   When you translate, start from sentences owned by native speakers.
*   If you want to try writing longer contributions in a language that is not your strongest, consider visting a site such as [italki](https://italki.com) or [lang-8](https://lang-8.com).


## Link to This Page

There is an easy-to-remember, short bit.ly link to this page.

http://bit.ly/tatoebaquickstart

Note

The lines in green are the lines that have been added in the new version. The lines in red are those that have been removed.